Type-writing machine.



B. W. TUCKER. TYPE wamns mama.

APPLICATIO LED in it; 1916 1 ,247,348. Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

2 SHEETS- MISET $1, 11-11: attains B. W. TUCKER. IYPE WRIUHG MASMNE.

APPLICATION HLEB In. H, 1916- Pabented Nov. 20, 1917.

nu L150:- a 7% Tucke %q 11,118 fittomwqb UNITED mrrsmrrm OFFICE.

BENJAMIN W. TUCKER, OF SOUTH ORAKGE, NEW JERSEY. ASSIGN'OR TO CORONA TYPE- WRITEB COMPANY, INC., OF GROTON, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OFN'EW YORK.

. 'lfYrn wmrnm MACHINE.

119 all whom it may concern; 7 V 7 Be it known that I, BENJAMIN VJTUCKER, a citizen of the United States, and s resident of South Grange, county of Essex,

and Stateof New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful lmprovementsin-Type- \Vriting Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates more particularly to a front strike or other visible typewriting machine and is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 820,2d, filed February 21, 1914, which has matured into Patent 1,222,497, dated April 10, 1917;

One of the principal obiccts oftlie invention is to provide a typewriting machine in which hey-operated lovers of a keyboard may be mounted upon one frame part, mem her or section of the main supporting frame, and the platen carriage, type-bars and other parts mounted upon another frame porter member of the main frame, and a separable positive connection made between the heyoperoted levers and the type-bars or other" parts operated bythe keys of the keyboard 1n order that the frame part supporting the keys may be folded from a normal operative position to a more compact one to reduce the lengthwise dimension of the machine.

Another object or" the invention'is to'provide simple and efiicient means forming a positive direct connection between the typebars and key-operated levers of a universal or standard keyboard, and means whereby the connection between the type-bars and key-o aerated levers may be simuitnneously more to place the same in an inoperative position with respect to the key-operated 'le vers whereby the key-operated layers may be moved from a normal operative posltion i0 an abnormol and more compact position."

Other objects of the invention are to provide simple and efiicient means whereby all the parts includin the universal bar, the 7 shift means nndtlic type-bars may be 0p eratod by links'having a se arable but posioperating means showing the position of the tivc connection with folds. l e key-operated levers; to provide simple means whereby the Specification of Letters Patent. 7

' extending arms 0 the key-operate may be constructed and arranged to be used the some to be readily transported from place to place. i

A further object of the invention is to proride a simple, effective and substantially direct connection between the keyboard and type-bars which is sim lo in construction and may be readily mad; and assembled.

l'Vith these and other objects in'view, the invention will be hereinafter more particw. larlyrlesoribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form it part of this application, and will then be ointed out in the claims at the end of the escription.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View, pertiy broken away and partly n section, of one form of machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, partly broken away and partly in elevation, the section being taken on the line II'H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2 except that the keyboard has been moved from a normal operative position to a more Patented Nov. 20, 1911. 7

Continuation in part of applicetlen'SeriaI No; 826,244, filed February 21, 1914. This application filed March Serial No. 88,539. Q

separately or be'placed in a separate car-r I mg case, or in which the mechanism may he nism and parts of the typewriter to adapt hangs the type-bars and the space bar 10-" cated near the platen of the platen carriage. 1 3%. 4 is a plan View, Fig; 5' an end View, and lg. 6 a vertical 'sectioiifshioifing' indie tail one of the key-operated leve s' Fig. 7 is a detail perspective View of a part0? the guidin means for the u Wardly levers. 8 is 9. vertical section, partly in elevation and partly broken away, ofa part of the case shift mechanism.

Fig. 9 is an end View, partly broken away, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional View of the type-bar parts when a key has been depressed to move the type'to the printing point.

Fi'gI '11 is a fragmentary perspective view of en of the means for separating the connection between the type-bars and key-operateil levers; and V Fig. 12 is a fragmentarylongitudinal section showing how a positive separal'il'e con nection may be made between the keyopcrated levers and the Links without having to move the outer en of the links for separation to permit folding of said key-operated levers.

The main frame 10 comprises a main frame part, sectionor member 11 and a keyboard frame part, member or section 12. The main frame part 11 comprises side walls 13 and a. rear connecting wall l4 and at the front and rear corners of said part are an gular brackets 15 for the usual or any preferred form of rubber feet. The frame part 11. has its side walls 13 at the front portion extending inwardly a short distance as at 16', and secured to said inwardly extending nortion 16 are brackets or bearings 17. Up wardlgy extending arms or parts 18 of the keyboard frame part 12 are pivotal-[y held by screws 19 or otherwise to the brackets 17 so that said frame part may be moved relatively to the main member or part LL from a normal operative position to an overhanging position with relation to the type-bars in order that a substantially uniform boxlike package may be rovided when the machine is not in use. his keyboard or frame part 12 has side walls 20 substantially triangular in form which are connected together at their front portions by a transversely extending bar 21. While a particular form of frame shown and means whereby one member is hinged to the other member to fold relatively thereto. it will. be understood that the frame may be variously constructed and either or both members may be provided with suitable rubber or other feet 22,. as is usual in typewriting machines.

A. plurality of supporting rods 23. iii and 25 are supported between the side walls 21) of the frame member 12. ()u the rod 2 are pivotally held a number of key-operatml levers 26, and on the rod 24 :11 number of key-operated levers 27 are pivotally arranged, while on the rod 25 are a number of key-opcratcd levers Each keyopet ated' lever is substantially bell-crank in form and has a vertically arranged arm 29 and a horizontally arranged arm 30, at the outer end of which is a. finger key 31. The key-operated levers are thus arranged in. groups or banks. and the arms of each group or bank are of different lengths from the other banks. the vertical arms and horizontal arms of each group being of substantially the same length so that a substantially uniform touch is secured. The key-operated levers 2G and 27 are restored to their normal position by means of' springs 32 and the lowermost group of key-operated levers 28 are restored to their normal position by means of springs 33. Each key-operated lever has an angle lar portion. as 34. Fig. 4. in order to provide a. substantial bearing to permit the keyoperated levers to Le self-spacing along their fulcrum or supporting rods and each keylever has its vertical arm guided in a slot in a comb plate or guide 36 located above the key-operated levers and supported by thel'eeylioard frame part or member 12. The key-operated levers are thus supported by the frame part 1'2 and are adapted to partake of the folding movement thereof.

The key-operated levers are each provided with forked or bifurcated upper ends 3? which are adapted to receive the outer ends of Links 38. Each link is connected at its inner end to :1 lug 39 of a ty 'ie-l'iar 40. the latter being pivoted at n to a: segment or a hanger as preferred and is adapted when the Link is moved OIl-UVHfl dl-X to force the outer end of the typehar upwardly and rearwardagainst the platen t2, the latter being mounted on at platen carriage 45% which is adapted to travcl transversely of the main member 1] under the control of suitable esca-pememt mechanism as is usual in this character of machine. The type-harseach carry a 'ilurality of type according to whether a. singleor double case shift is pro-- vided and at their outer ends rest upon a cushion 44 mounted upon a metal rest +3 of any suitable kind. The links 38 at their outer ends are each provided with a boss or collair 456' and ire slidably held to move forwardly and rearwardly in a plate or bar 47. This bar at? extends transversely of th machine between. the side walls of the main frame member. and said bar is formed integral with or secured to rearwardiy extending arms. wh ch are pi oted at bv screws or otherwise to the side walls of the main member 11. The bar 4T has apertme one for each link. and on each link is a second collar 50, and interposed between said collar 50 and the bar is a: spring 51 tending normally to restore each link 3H and its cooperating typebar to their normal position The arms 48 and bar l-T form a guide and supporting frame for the links and one of the arms. is provided with an opening in which is adapted to work an eccentric or cccen trically arranged disk 53. Th disk 5:- is adapted to be moved by a handle 5-1 located. on the outside of the frame and said handle is lim ted in either of its positions by pins or other stops 55.

The links as already described are normally seated in the bifurcated ends of the key-operated levers so as to be separable therefrom. and in the normal operative posi tion each link is positively connected to its cooperating; key-operated. lever. If the lever 54 of the eccentric or disk 53 is moved upwardly, the disk will cause the arms 48 and bar 47 to be also moved in the same direction, and this will. carry the links therewith and separate said links from the keyoperated levers to permit the frame member lit.

or par-43 12 with the key-operatedlevers to move'to' the position shown in Fig. 3; After the eccentric lever 5% is moved tothe position shown in Fig. 2 and the keyboard frame part or member 12 is also in the position shown in Fig. 2, the links will then be lo cated in the slots or bifurcated ends of the ltey-opvnated levers so that on the depression of any key a link will be operated and its c0- operating type-bar moved on its pivot to force the type against the'platen. By this means a simple and efi'ective separable di root and positive connection is made between the key operated levers and type-bars adapting the keyboard frame part to be moved relative to the main frame part so as to place the keyboard in a more compact position and reduce the dimension of the machine.-

The invention is shown as embodyin a platen shift, but it will be understood 1: at a type segment shift may be employed in connectionwith a machine of this kind, and

so far as the case shift is concerned it forms nopart of the present invention. 7 As shown in the drawings, the ribbon spools and such other parts which coiiperate with theplaten,

carriage are mounted to partake of the shift movement of the carriage and that ma be true ofthe escapement dogs in substantially the same manner as the well-known form of the Corona typewriter. As shown and as is common inthe Corona typewriter a rocking frame 56 is provided which is adapted during its rocking movement to operate/the escapement dogs and also the ribbon vibrating and feed mechanism. The rocking frame is pivotally held to a transversely extending rod 57 located at the lower por tion of the main frame part 11 and at its upper end is slotted to receive a transversely extending rod 58. The rod 58 is connected to the vertical arms of bell-crank levers 59. These bell-crank levers are pivotally held to the upright arms 60 of a universal bar 61. The universal bar 61 is guided in arms 62 which have slottediront ends and arepivotcd at their rear ends at 63 to brackets held to the rear wall of the main frame part 11. The universal bar is adapted to he moved by a projecting part or extension 64 on each typehar at each movement thereof so that during the printing operation as usual the universal bar will also be operated to 601k. trol the letter feed movement and the opera; I tion of the ribbon mechanism. r

A" link 65 connects the arm 62 to an arm 66. n This arm 66 isheld to a stud or she-it 67 and to this stud or shaft is held an upright arm 68 to which is connected :1 link 69, Thelink 69 extends forwardly and is constructed substantially the same as. the links 38. The link 69 is provided with cool lars fitl and 69 and is guided in apertures in the transversely extending bar 4? and is normally held in one position by means oi a spring 69 similar to the springs 51 so that said link 69 parta'kes of the separable movement of the bar 47. The link 69 is connected to a substantially bell-crank spacing lever 70. There may be two levers 70 if desired or only one and said levers are mounted on the lower transversely extending rod 25. Projecting from the torwardend of said rod are two arms 71 which are connected together by the space bar 72 so that on the depression of the space bar the link 69 will be operated and this through the arms 655 (i5 and link 65 will move the arm 62 and cause a downward movement of the universai bar to permit letter feed movement of ihecarriage Without operating the printing instrumentalities.

As a means for shifting the platen varriage, various means may be employed. As shown two bell-crank levers i3 and Ti are located on opposite sides of the machine. These levers are held on a transversely extending rod 75. The levers T4 are securcd to the rod 75 tomove in unison while the levers are connected. by a tubular slee e 76 'alsolto move in unison but independently of the levers 74:. The inner ends of the horizontal arms of the levers 73 and 74 are hookshaped to engage under the rod 57, and ea h horizontal arm is provided with a screw or adjustable stop T7. The flops 77 of one set of arms are longer than the stops of the other set of arms and said stops are adapted to engage an angular transversely extending har fi so that when the hell-crank levers are moved the sets of arms will shift therod 57 together 7 with the rocking frame and the platen carriage and bed in a vertical direction to relatively diiierent distances according to which set of hell-crank levers is operated, the pin pose of having the levers on opposite sidx s of the machine being to provide a uniform movement and to form a positive stop at opposite sides of the machine. The hell-crank levers T3 and 74 at one side of the machine are each connected by a link '59 and these links 79 are guided in the bar 4? in a similar manner to the links 38 and 69. Each link 79 has a collar 80, Figs. 1 and 8, and between each collar 80 and the inner Face of the transversely extending hard? is :1 spring 81 tending normally to force the. links and shift levers 73 and id to their normal position. At the outer end of each link 7 is a second collar 82 which'is adapted to be engaged by the bifurcated or forked arm of either one of the shift levers 83 and 84, said shift levers being mounted as shown on the supporting rod: '24 of the key-operated levers and each of said levers heingadapted to be locked in either one of its adjusted positions or both locked against movement by means of a singlelever 85. The lever 85 is pivoted at 86 to oneside of the machin and has its lower end adapted to enter re cesses in either or both of the platen shift levers as is common in the Corona typewriter. If either of the shift levers is moved it will operate one of the sets of bell-cranks T2, and H and this will move the platen carriage and other parts a distanc corresponding to which shift key is operated as already described.

In Fig. 12 the type-bars 87 are connected to links 88. These links 88 are guided at their outer ends in a stationary be r 89, there being an opening in said bar for each link. Each type-bar and its cooperating link are restored to their normal operative position by a spring 90, said spring being interposed between the guide bar 89 at one end and a collar 91 located on said link at the other end of said spring. Each link is provided with a. collar 92 at its outer end and adapted to engage said collar is the slotted end of. the arm 93 of a key-operated lever 94. There are a number of key-operated levers 94 arranged in banks as already described and each key operated lever may be guided by a slotted plate 9?), each key-operated lever being restored to its normal position by a spring 96 or otherwise. As in the other form described the key-operated levers form a part of the keyboard and are mount ed upon a keyboard or frame part 97. The frame part 97 is foldable upwardly and rearwardly in a manner already described and carries the key-operated levers 94 therewith. The frame part 97 is pivoted at 98 to the main part of the frame of the machine on which the type-bars 87 are mounted. This pivot or hinge 88 is so positioned with relation to the connection between the links 88 and the arms 93 of the key-operated levers that the folding of the frame part 97 will disconnect the arms 93 from the links without requiring the bar 89 to be moved and when the keyboard with the frame part 97 is restored to its normal operative posi tion the links and key-operated levers are again brought into engagement. By this means a positive separable connection is made between the key-operated levers and the links and the eccentric disconnecting means is dispen ed with.

From the foregoing it will be evident that simple and efiicient means is provided whereby a. sepa able connection is made between key-operated levers and type-bars as Well as other parts of the operative mechanisms; that simple means is provided whereby a number of links may be simultaneously released from a number of key-operated le-- vers or be placed in position to be in operative relation thereto to adapt the machine during the separation of the links from said levers to be folded or otherwise moved to a compact position and as soon as restored to a normal operative position placed. in operative connection with said links; that said machine may have its frame variously constructed to adapt the mechanism disclosed therein to be employed as a part of a: typewriter in which its cubical dimensions may be materially reduced when not in use; and that said mechanism is adapted to be mounted in a skeleton frame to be placed in another frame or case, or the said mechanism may be suitably mounted in a frame which may be used independently of a carrying case or be placed in a separate carrying case when it is desired to transport the machine.

Illaving thus described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secure by Letter latont:--

'1. In a tvpewriting mach ne the ct inbh nation of a main frame part, l "llil-l3ll"i mounted upon said frame part, a platen rarriagc movable transversely of said frame part, a keyboard frame part l'iinged to the main frame part to move upwardly and rearward thereon. key -opcra(e .l levers mounted upon said keylmard frame part, and separable means forming a direct and positively interlocking connection between each type-bar and one of the keya'wperated levers to adapt the key-operated lovers in be folded with the keyboard frame part.

2. ln a visible typcwriting nuvclunc. the combination of a main frame part, typebars mounted upon said frame part, a platen carriage movabletransverselyof Said frame part. a keyboard frame part held to the main frame part to more from a normal operative position to an abnormal com act one, key-operated levers forming a part of a universal keyboard mounted upon said keyboard frame part. and separable means forming a direct positively interlocking; connection between each typebar and one of the key-operated lovers to adapt the key-operated levers to iiartake of the compact movement of the keyboard frame part.

23. In a typewriting machine. the combi nation of a main frame part. tvpebars mounted upon said frame part, a carriage movable transversely of said frame part, a lugvboard frame part held to the main frame part to move from a normal opera tive position to an abnormal compact one, lmy-operated levers mounted upon said l;c)'- lioard frame part, and a link for each typebar forming a separable means and a direct positive connection between each iypebar and one of the key-operated lovers to adapt the key-operated levers to partake of the compact movement of the keyboard. frame part.

4. In a. visible typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame havingtwo relatively movable parts adapted in one position to be extended and in another position to be compact, type-bars mounted on one of the frame parts. key-operated levers mounted on another frame part, and scpout key-operated levers to adapt the key operated lovers to be moved from a normal operative position With the keyboard frame part to an inoperative compact position relative to the platen carriage and the type-bars.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame part, a keyboard frame part, a platen carriage movable on the main frame part, type-bars carrying up Wardly and rearwardly moving type also mounted on the main frame part, a link connected to each type, a link-supporting frame pivotally held on said main frame part, keyoperated levers arranged in banks and mounted on the keyboard frame part, each keybperated lever having its end adapted to engage one of the links, a spring tending normally to force the link and its type-bar to its normal osition, and eccentric means for moving tliie link-supporting frame to separate the links from the ditferent keyoperated levers to adapt the key-operated levers to be moved from a normal operative position with the keyboard frame part to an inoperative compact position relat ve to the platen carriage and the type-bars.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame, a keyboard frame part held to the main frame and movable from a normal operative position to a more compact position, bell-crank levers pivotally supported on the keyboard frame part carrying l zeys at their outer ends and having forked upper ends, means engaging said levers to guide the same, type ars mounted in the main frame, and links operatively connected at one end with said type bars and adapted to be embraced by the forked ends of said key levers when the keyboard frame part is in operative posit-ion, said links he mg provided with abutments adapted to be engaged by the forked ends of the key lever o ate id iaise 14. In a typewriting machine, the cpmbination of a main frame, a keyboard frame pert held o, the main frame a d mo abl m n ral re c eation o a m r mpac es ie ll-c a k l vers piv an o h ke b ar frame P r ea n' ee k ys t heir eater nd n a ing forked ppe nds; p pe a s insist d n the a frame, and ink operatively connected at on an h and tree ha a d i ea to be embr cool by the Qrli d en s of said ey- 'e ,W .e the leerv 92 a fram part 1s m ep at r pest e and min itans er ri scl wi h a am nt adap e to e ng ed by the forked ends of the ey evers t 9peta t l ha s- 1?: a meanest: mac ete be. ea br mesa of eastern a ts; new time par te mli a eyse -t er, sari creative c rt hale ean e ei o a ee e re arts a keyboard trans art newbie elative y a and fam ma, ea -opera d e e s m u ted upon said keyboard frame part, and direct separable connections between the keyoperated levers and the said links.

16. In a typen'riting machine the combination of operative parts, a frame part .l'ormine' a support for said operative parts, links connected to said operative parts, a keyboard frame part hinged to fold relatively to the said frame part, key-o1mrated levers mounted upon said keyboard frame part, and links directly and separably connecting the key-operated le\ ers and the said operative parts.

17. In a type-Writing lklt ltjllll'lle the combination of operative parts. links connected to said operative parts, means normally forcing the links in one direction, a pivotally held frame forming! a guide and sup port for one end of said links an eccentric device adapted to move said link-supporting frame to carry the links simultaneously therewith, and foldahle key-operated levers mounted upon the keyboard frame part and having a separable connection with said links.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination of operative parts, links connected to said operative parts, springs normally forcing the links in one direction, a pivot ally held frame forming a guide and support for one end of said links, a manually operated eccentric device adapted to move said link-supporting; frame to carry the links simultaneously therewith, and fold able key-operated levers mounted upon the keyboard frame part and having: a sepzr table connection with said links.

19. In a typewriting machine, the comht nation of a main frame, a keyboard frame part held to the main frauuand movable from a normal operative position to a more compact position, bellrrank levers pivot ally supported on the keyboard frame part carrying keys at their outer ends and having forked upper ends, means engaging said levers to guide the same. type bars mounted in the main frame, link operatively con nected at one end with said type bars and adapted to be embraced by the forked ends of said key levers when the keyboard frame part is in operative position said links hemg provided with abutments adapted to he engaged by the forked ends of the key levers to o erate said links, and means for shiftnc; sa d links in o and ou f the forked ends of the key levers.

2 In a type riting machine, the can bination of a main frame, a keyboard frame art held to the main frameand movable rom a no m l opera ive position to, a more eompaetposition, bell-crank levers pivotallv h ld to the vkey-l oarcl f ame par ar y keys at their outer ends and havin forke ew ds ar a mo nt d n e ma n frame, links operatively connected at one end with said type bars and adapted to be embraced by the forked ends of said hey levers when the keyboard frame part. is in operative position, said links being pro vided with abntnients adapted to be engaged by the forked ends of the key levers to up crate the links, and means for shifting said links into and out of the forked ends of the key levers.

21. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame, type bars supported in the main frame, bcll-crank levers arranged in groups and movable relatively to the type bars from a normal operative position to a more compact inoperative position, one arm of each of the levers supporting a key and the levers of the dilferent groups being of different length and pivotally supported at points in different horizontal planes. and links eonneeted at one end with the type bars and having separable connec tions at their opposite ends With said bellcrank levers at points in alinement transversely of the frame.

22. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame, type bars supported in the main frame. links operatively connected at one end with the type bars, a keyboard frame part pivotally held to the main frame and foldable upwardly and rearwardly from normal operative position to a more compact position, a plurality of groups of bell-crank levers pivotally mounted on the keyboard frame part and foldable therewith, the lovers of the different groups being of relatively different lengths and carrying keys at one end and having separable connections at their opposite ends with said links, both arms of the levers being of substantially equal length.

In a typewriting machine, the coinbi nation of a main frame, type bars supported in the main frame, links operatively connected at one end with the type bars, a keyboard frame part pivotally held to the main frame and foldable upwardly and rear- .rardly from a normal operative position to a. more compact position, and a plurality of groups of bell-crank levers pivotally held to the keyboard frame part on pivots arranged in different horizontal planes, said levers supporting keys at one end and having separable connections with said links at their opposite ends, both arms of the levers being of substantially equal length and the lovers of the ditferent groups being of relatively' different lengths.

524. In a typeivriting machine, the combination of a main frame, type bars mounted in the main frame, a keyboard frame part pivotally held to the main frame and fold able 'upr-ardly and rearwardly from a nor mal operative position to a more compact position, a plurality of roups of bell-crank levers of relatively dillercnt lengths pivotaily mounted in the keyboard frame part and sn iiporting keys in banks, and separable operating connections between said levers and the type bars to adapt the levers to fold with the keyboard frame part.

In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame, type bars mounted in the main frame, links connected at one end with the type bars, means held to the main frame for supporting the opposite ends of said links, a keyboard frame part held to the main frame and movable from a normal operatire position to a more compact posh tion. kevopcratod levers pivot-ally held intermediate their ends to the he i oard frame part, and means forming sop able operat ing connections between said levers and links.

26. In a typewriting' machine, the combination of a main frame, type bars mounted in the main frame, links connected at one end with the type bars, means held to the main frame for supporting the opposite ends of said links, a keyboard frame part held to the main frame and movable from a normal operative position to a more compact position, key-operated levers pivot-ally held intermediate their ends to the keyboard frame part, and cooperating means carried by said levers and said links forming positively interlocking separable operating connoctions between said levers and links to adapt said lovers to actuate the type bars when in normal position and to move with the keyboard frame part to compact position.

This specification signed this ninth day of March A. D. 1916.

BENJAMIN lV. TUCKER.

Copies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cent: each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). B. 

